Brett Morgen

A prevailing notion at the South by Southwest music festival, which concluded here Sunday, was that this year's edition delivered a much-needed course correction.

Having spent the better part of a week trudging around downtown Austin — from concerts to parties to panel discussions — I agree that SXSW has changed. But I'm not so sure the shift is putting better music in front of more listeners — or making the music stick.

Though it began in 1987 as a low-key showcase for regional talent, the festival had ballooned in recent years, attracting superstar acts such as Green Day and Prince, eager to borrow SXSW's cool factor in promoting new product or rehabilitating an image. As...

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A prevailing notion at the South by Southwest music festival, which concluded here Sunday, was that this year's edition delivered a much-needed course correction.
Having spent the better part of a week trudging around downtown Austin — from concerts to...

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Take Don Cheadle's in-the-making movie about the jazz trumpet player and composer Miles Davis, which he's been trying to get started for years. On...